Is there a preschool teacher who can help me out?

Question

I'm a first year preschool teacher and need some help.

I have a preschool class of 10 ESL students. The problem is three of the boys just refuse to participate in class activities. Instead they walk around the room or disturb others. Two minutes of this and the next thing I know the whole class is just doing whatever they want. Even singing nursery rhymes (with actions) doesn't catch their attention and makes their behavior worse. By the end of the day I'm exhusted, on the verge of yelling and none of the work is done. Please help!

Answer 1

The very first thing that you need to do is structure your classroom. Now, your question is "how can I structure the class with the behavior problems?" Well, you simply add a little bit at a time. The first thing that should be added is a way to immediately get your classes attention. This may take a week or 2 to figure out exactly what it is. For me...it has always be simple! I do this chant:

open shut them! open shut them!
(open and shut hands)
give a little clap clap clap!
(clap 3 times)

open shut them! open shut them!
(open and shut hands)
Lay them in your lap lap lap!
(pat hands on lap 3 times)

creep them, creep them, creep them, creep them!
(creep hands up chest)
right up to your chin chin chin!
(tap chin 3 times)
Open wide your little mouth!
(open mouth really ride)
BUT! do not let them in in in!
(cover hands with mouth)

raise them, raise them, raise them, raise them,
(lift hands slowly above your head)
raise them really high high high!
(reach higher and higher)

falling, falling, falling, falling, falling
(lower hands slowly, wriggling fingers and saying chant quieter and quieter as they fall down)
right into your lap lap lap
(at this point you are only mouthing the words, and tap really gently 3 times on your lap)



This will get their attention long enough to get a few words in edge wise. About 3 mintues for your age group. I use this chant every single time I need their attention. You can even add new words: Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down on the floor floor floor! Use your imagination! I also use this at meal times...spread them, spread them, spread them spread them, spread them really wide wide wide! close them, close them, close them, close them, now it's time to pray pray pray! ( i live in the bible belt...this is acceptable. You'll have to make up your own little routine that is acceptable for your meal time)

One thing you have to remember is that children of this age have very short attention spans. Multiply 1x the age of the child to calculate how long you can expect to hold their attention. For your class it would be 3 minutes. So, the idea is to get their attention and quickly go on with your lesson....make it exciting and fun and very short!

Develop a routine for center time and understand that this is where most of your learning is going to occur. Your center times should reflect what you learned in circle time. Get to know each and every student. Then pair them up into groups of 2 or 3. Be sure that you match each student with another student that is the opposite character. That way you can balance the behavior of the classroom. Less active children with more active children, shy student with outgoing student, ect. Send them all to a center and let them learn in that center while you do your rounds with each center. About 10 minutes, then take 3 minutes to clean up and get to your next center.

Develop a routine that they can look forward to. A special song that requires personal involvement of each child. Encourage the boys to come to circle time and have fun with us! Do not force them to. This will only cause more distractions and discourage them even more from wanting to participate.

Make sure that your activities are age appropriate. Do not expect your 3 year olds to sit and try to write their name or look at flash cards. Children learn from hands on experience. Offer activities that enhance their physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development while encouraging independent thinking and creativity.

Remember not to 'tell' the children what they need to be doing constantly. Alot of new teachers make this mistake. Instead offer 2 choices....just 2 not 3 or 4 or you will confuse them. If you want them to clean up blocks say to them " Jacob pick up the blocks and put them on the shelf or in the box"

This reminds me of a funny story. I once had a child in my class that was always kicking and hitting the other children. I observed him doing something that he shouldn't have been doing so I interupted him and tried to direct him to another area. I said to him " either go to the block area or the reading area" The child said that he didn't want to go to either. I said to him "You have a choice...you can go to the block area or the reading area". He thought about this long and hard and finally he says "ok, I'll go to the reading area but I'm kicking someone on the way!" lol. Needless to say I had to escort him to the reading area myself.

The point being that if you offer choices and let them know that if they do not make their own choice you will have to make it for them, they will make a choice. This way you haven't taken away their independence and in a sense both the child and the teacher wins!

Hope this helped just a tad

Answer 2

Oooh... first year is hard. You have to learn not only about the behaviors of children, but how to be an effective teacher as well. Without having the chance to observe the behaviors, it makes it very hard to tell you how to correct the problem. I have some ideas that may help, though. Do you have another teacher at your center who may be able to an observation in your class? Sometimes, all you need is another set of eyes who can see things from an "outsider's" perspective. A well-seasoned teacher would be the best choice. Are you in a class by yourself, or do you have aides? You can enlist them to help as well. All you need is one person who can observe and see what may be causing the problem. Are the children bored with the materials? Do they need something more challenging? Are there enough staff members to keep them engaged in something? Do the children make a good mix together? Does something preceed the problem behavior? Does it happen at a certain time of day? Are they having problems understanding what is being said to them? Once you have someone observe, it should be easy to evaluate the data and see what is causing the problem. With three-year-olds, you have to command the room or they will walk all over you. You have to use a firm voice, and tell them what you want them to do- not what you don't want them to do. "Feet belong on the floor." instead of "get down", and "Use walking feet inside." instead of "stop running". Not only does phrasing these things positively, telling them what you expect, help to eliminate confusion about what you mean, but it turns around the whole "vibe" of the classroom to a positive one. Your best bet is having a mentor... a teacher whose skills you look up to, who can help you figure out strategies that will work for your particular group of kids. Ask a teacher in your center you admire if they could help you out and give ideas. Most teachers who are good at what they do love to help the "newbies" in the field. If you need more ideas, or have specific questions, you can email me.

Answer 3

My mom and dad owned a preschool for over 10 years they usually regarded for outgoing contributors that dressed effectively and were not approximately highend type. Listen to "i hate dr. phil's" reaction. She's right in mentioning to put on residences and no low reduce tops. Dress in slacks, collared blouse and cozy sneakers. And without doubt convey parts and recommendations you must educate those youngsters. As for questions, be ready to reply questions like: one million. How lengthy have you ever been educating? two. What do you experience approximately educating? three. Have you ever efficaciously potty-expert kids? four. How could you manage an indignant mother or father? five. How could you manage 2 youngsters combating? 6. If anyone rather than the mother or father got here to select up a baby what could you do? Those are only a few. I'll reply them for you. one million. This is your opinion. I'm certain you'll be able to reply that without difficulty two. Same with this one. three. Again, identical. four. Handling an indignant mother or father is problematic provided that you have got in no way performed so. If the director is to be had, regularly inform the mother or father that they may be able to talk with them. Never get concerned, because it isn't your situation, and it is exceptional treated by means of higher leadership. five. Separate the 2 and talk to them separately. You in most cases recognize the reply to this as good. 6. If anyone rather than the mother or father comes, the tuition traditionally has a record of names the mom and dad depart in case of an emergency. First touch the director. If they are no longer there, then name the mother or father to affirm pickup. I particularly desire this helped. :) And Good Luck!!

Answer 4

this really does work. first some kids learn by you telling them. some kids must 'see' what is expected of them. I have small picture cards I have on a clip I clip to my belt loop or ID card so I have them all the time (no more than five of the class rules). I drew simple black and white line drawings of the action (face with big ears for LISTEN for example, or a stick child picking up toys CLEAN UP) I show the offending child the pix and say "this is what we are doing now" surprising, this seems to work for most kids. some you may have to allow them to pick between two activities ( do you want the blocks or the legos, and they pick the picture representing these)(these cards I won't carry around with me, I keep these in what I call my 'free choice' booklet (play time, gym activities) , (the kids have access to this and do use it) sounds like alot of work on your part, but kids learn to comply many different ways, not just by telling. and do not use commercial pix or use color, the teacher-made black and white stick figure line drawings are the most effective. try this then if not effective start with time-out or taking away a privilege. I have kids that need to 'disengage' and they usually don't participate in group circle time. However, they are required to sit on the carpet, and if they are disruptive they loose some 'free play time'. And then after a 5 minute loss of playtime, I find them a table toy to play with and they are there at the table till the timer goes off. finally, i now have kids starting to comply, after 6 weeks into the school year. these are 4 yr olds, english a second language, or kids with defiant behaviors. and a couple of threes thrown in!

Answer 5

if these three children can disturb the whole class means that they are "leaders";so, make them be GOOD leaders instead. Try to give them fun responsibilities just for them. Let them feel that instead of making the class apart.. they could be your helpers... reward them in front of the class when they do things right... tell everyone to follow just their good example and let them know when they're not behaving right. An idea .... try to make a chart with everyone name on it and besides the name ..two columns..one with a happy face and other with a sad face. At the beginning of the day tell everyone that everyone has a happy face but that if they do not behave they would get a sad face and would have to go "time out" (you should make a special place for it). It could help you... try it.
GOOD Luck and remember..it would pass. You'll gain more experience each day and you'll learn what works or not for you and your class.

Answer 6

I understand what you are going thru. I had a class with mostly boys- K-3rd grades afterschool program and also have done preschool too. My boys had things ranging from ADHD to Tourettes and it could get pretty nuts if I didn't keep on top of it. I would do the reward system. I found things that worked with each child. They didn't like their video time taken away or their time outside. After a few times of getting previledges taken away and getting praised for good behavior it worked better. Consitency is the key.

Answer 7

I've worked in a preschool for years and also was a children's pastor for five years. I would suggest find what is most pleasurable for the boys- such as the playground, movies, blocks, etc. and even snack and let them know very plainly that these priveledges will be taken away if they don't follow the rules. Have you tried "time-out"? Also maybe have a "treasure box" filled with inexpensive prizes such as stickers, tops, candy, cars, rings, etc. and let the children know each morning "good behavior gets rewards". Then reward all well-behaved children by letting them chose a prize at the end of each day or every other day.

Answer 8

You might start by looking at your daily schedule. What is the percentage of teacher-directed activities and what is the percentage of child-initiated activities? Teacher-directed includes all groups, snack and meal times, arrivals, departures, and any time that you have decided what the children must do. Child-initiated includes only those times where children have a choice of where to go and what to do. Check and see if your percentages are equal or lean toward child-initiated. If not, see what you can do to add more child-initiated times. You can set up learning areas where children have choices. For example, writing practice can be done in almost any learning area - put pencils and paper in the block area so children can use them wh ile they build and draw pictures of what they build.

Answer 9

Give them candy.

Answer 10

What do you need help with?